Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - William Pearl

Travelogue is a testament to artistic maturity. Recasting a wide swath of her signature songs in orchestral settings, Joni Mitchell unearths a new depth of emotion in each, fully justifying their revamped identities. If the wide range and dashing high notes of her youth are no longer part of Mitchell’s vocal arsenal, her superb phrasing and expressive focus more than make up for it. This still-masterful singer-songwriter effortlessly extracts the dramatic riches from song after song, her readings deepened by the passage of time and experience. Although Mitchell’s striking guitar and piano work are not in the equation here, she is hardly without instrumental support. ...

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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble
- William Pearl

Travelogue is a testament to artistic maturity. Recasting a wide swath of her signature songs in orchestral settings, Joni Mitchell unearths a new depth of emotion in each, fully justifying their revamped identities. If the wide range and dashing high notes of her youth are no longer part of Mitchell’s vocal arsenal, her superb phrasing and expressive focus more than make up for it. This still-masterful singer-songwriter effortlessly extracts the dramatic riches from song after song, her readings deepened by the passage of time and experience. Although Mitchell’s striking guitar and piano work are not in the equation here, she is hardly without instrumental support. Vince Mendoza’s radiant arrangements for the London Symphony Orchestra, the vivid, just-right work of saxophonist Wayne Shorter and keyboardist Herbie Hancock, and the general musical direction of producer Larry Klein add immeasurably to the success of the project. Although Mitchell has claimed that this will be her final album, the beauties to be found here, and the obvious vitality and creativity she exhibits throughout, make you hope she reconsiders.

All Music Guide
- Thom Jurek

According to Joni Mitchell, Travelogue is her final recorded work, and if that is so, it's a detailed exploration of moments in a career that is as dazzling as it is literally uncompromising. Over 22 tracks and two CDs and as stunning package featuring a plethora of photographs of Mitchell's paintings, Travelogue is a textured and poetic reminiscence, not a reappraisal, of her work -- most of it from the 1970s through the 1990s. A 70-piece orchestra, as well as jazz legends Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Kenny Wheeler, drummer Brian Blade, bassist Chuck Berghofer, producer Larry Klein, and organist Billy Preston, among others, accompanies her. It's true that Mitchell dabbled in this territory in 2000 on Both Sides Now, but that recording only remotely resembles this one. Cast in this way it is true that this is no easy cruise, but given the nearly 40 years of her sojourn in popular music, Mitchell's work, particularly from the mid-'70s on, has been difficult for many to grasp on first listen and always gives up its considerable rewards, slowly making her records age well over time; they are not disposable as much of the music from her peers is. These completely recast songs cover the entirety of her career, from her debut, Song From a Seagull, to Turbulent Indigo with certain albums not being represented at all. It's true there aren't high-profile cuts here except for "Woodstock," which is radically reshaped, but it hardly matters. When you hear the ultrahip, be-bopping "God Must Be a Boogie Man," there is an elation without sentimentality; in the scathing and venomous "For the Roses" and "Just Like This Train," the bitterness and aggression in their delivery offers the listener an empathy with Mitchell's anger at the recording industry -- and anyone else who's crossed her. But while there is plenty of swirling darkness amid the strings here, there is also the fulfillment of prophecy; just give a listen to this version of "Sex Kills" that bears its weight in full measure of responsibility and vision. Her voice, aged by years of smoking, is huskier and is, if anything, more lovely, mature, deep in its own element of strength. The restatement of W.B. Yeats, "Slouching Toward Bethlehem," is more stunning now than ever before as is "Hejira." In "The Circle Game" and "Slouching Toward Bethlehem," you hear the ambition in Mitchell's musical direct as she has moved ever closer to the tone poem as a song form. Though it may not be as easy on first listen as Court and Spark, Travelogue will continue to unfold over time and offer, like her best work, decades of mystery and pleasure.

Entertainment Weekly

The miracle is that [the] symphonic arrangements sometimes place [her] alto in even more intimate climes.
The miracle is that [the] symphonic arrangements sometimes place [her] alto in even more intimate climes.

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Customer Reviews

Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

A true Masters final last stand??

Having been a fan of Joni's music for what seems most of my life, I can only say that this music touches me and also leaves me saddened at the same time. As we all grow older and change we still cling to many things, music has always been the most important and I thank Joni for this beautiful swan song, a recap, the words have always done the talking but with Joni's beautiful, heartfelt, "mature" voice she has added so much more demention to her voice, the quality, the timing all so different than what was originally sung, I love all of Joni's many sides, shame on those who critique Joni's later works, she is in a whole different place in her life. More than ever I feel the bond to her burnished vocals as I get older, what she says is so real I had hoped for more appreciation in her works from all those who just dug her way back then. This intimate collection has so many jewels that will continue to shine brightly as the years go by. I hope Joni has a change of heart and makes music for herself and the millions of fans that still think she can do what ever the hell she chooses. A rare, career, stellar musician/writer/human being and most important, as vital as ever. Wonderful collection of music, congrats to Vince for the Grammy for "Woodstock's" orchestration.

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Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

Orchestration Kills

As a hard-core Joni Mitchell fan I find this album is like meeting Joni in an institution where she has been heavily sedated with Prozac. The music lacks the guts and bite of the originals. For those who are content with "elevator" renditions of their favourite songs, this album is for you.

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Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

Songs of My Growing Up

I was in high school in the 60's in Detroit, and every word Joni sang resounded in my life. I followed her career and music, and the feelings for her music and writing are still heartfelt by me. Watch the DVD biography called Woman of Heart and Mind and then you'll then really understand how talented Joni REALLY is. And you'll understand the musical redemption of her life in this very fine,and very beautiful album ...

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Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

Joni Mitchell Cannot Be Over-Rated

Joni Mitchell has changed modern music in ways unlike other female performers. She writes, sings, performs, and finds just the right people to perform the music she wants to present in just the way she wants it done. Her experience is reflected in this recording, and the people involved are, of course, perfect for shining a spotlight on her achievements both past and present. She expresses herself here not just in her singing and playing, but uses the entire orchestra as her voice. For those who grew up with her music, her voice is also our voice, our past is tied up in the music that Joni Mitchell has created.

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Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

Imagine If.

With the greatness that is possessed on this album with Joni, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, imagine if Jaco Pastorius had lived to perform with them. It would then be nothing short of heavenly.

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Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

Joni Mitchell is probably the best singer-songwriter ever.

Joni Mitchell's final album is truly outstanding. I've heard some songs, like the very impressive "The Dawntreader", and the striking "You Dream Flat Tires", and they're truly whopping. I've been a Joni Mitchell-fan for a long time now, and I think this is her best album.

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Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

Joni shows what can be done with her music

I love this album. It puts her in a category with classical song composers like Schubert and Poulenc. She is also demonstrating to vocalists and performers what can be done with her compositions. On past albums her music was idiosyncratic, performed the way only she could perform them, but she shows us with this album that her music doesn't need to be off limits to other performers. I'm hoping this album inspires other artists (from pop,jazz,rock and classical genres) to begin including her compositions in their repertoires

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Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

Joni is perfection!!!!

I haven't heard "Travelogue" yet, but Joni is perfect. It will be a perfect album. So buy it now.

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Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

JONI IS GOOD...BUT WAY OVERATED!

Save your money for the Carly Simon release, "Anthology." It will be outstanding! Also, seek out releases by SARA HICKMAN. Another truly gifted singer-songwriter.

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